The 2026/27 ETTU Europe Cup Men began in Varaždin on Friday, with hosts STK STARR Croatia producing a dramatic comeback to defeat TJ Geolog Roznava 3-2. Spain’s CTT Les Borges Vall also prevailed in a five-match thriller against KS Olesno, while six other clubs opened their campaigns with 3-0 wins.
Sixteen teams, divided into four groups, are competing at the Gospodarska škola Sports Hall from 13 to 15 November.
Austria’s SPG Felbermayr Wels made an emphatic start against Portugal’s Clube Desportivo 1º de Maio, winning 3-0 through Felix WETZEL, Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK and Patryk ZATOWKA, who all prevailed in straight games.
The day’s first five-match battle saw CTT Les Borges Vall overcome Poland’s KS Olesno 3-2, with Francesc CARRERA proving decisive.
The Spaniard recovered from two games down to defeat Lubomir PISTEJ 3-2 in the opening match, but Olesno responded through Marcel BLASZCZYK. Luca KHIDASHELI restored the Spanish advantage before PISTEJ forced a decider with victory over Joan MASIP.
CARRERA delivered again in the fifth match, edging BLASZCZYK 3-2, with the deciding game ending 6-5.
STK STARR Croatia delighted the home crowd by recovering from 1-2 down against Slovakia’s TJ Geolog Roznava.
Ingemar PETER put the visitors ahead before ZENG Jia levelled for the hosts. Gergely SABJAN then restored Roznava’s advantage with a four-game victory over Nikola HORVAT.
With the Croatian club facing defeat, QIU Liang overcame Andrii GREBENIUK in straight games to make it 2-2. ZENG Jia completed the turnaround, defeating PETER 3-1 (11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6).
Czechia’s SKST Havirov enjoyed a more comfortable opening encounter, overcoming Spain’s Irun Leka Enea 3-0 without dropping a game. Gustavo GOMEZ, Mykhailo LOVHA and Stepan BRHEL secured the points.
Poland’s Energa Manekin Torun defeated TTC Ostrava 2016 of Czechia 3-0, with Yuto MURAMATSU, Andrei PUTUNTICA and Dimitrije LEVAJAC all contributing.
LEVAJAC completed the encounter with a straight-games victory over Jakub KLEPRLIK, taking the final game 16-14.
Spain’s CTT Olot matched that result against Slovakia’s AŠK Mária Huta. Miguel PANTOJA and Dylan CHAPERON won in straight games, while Rafael DE LAS HERAS overcame Milosz SAWCZAK 3-1.
SKST Chodov of Czechia defeated Slovakia’s STK Vyhne 3-0. Antonin GAVLAS and Jakub ZELINKA both recovered from losing their opening games, while Jiri MARTINKO prevailed against Adam KLAJBER in straight games, closing the third 18-16.
Spain’s Alicante TM also secured a 3-0 result against Romania’s CSS-SZAK Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Alberto LILLO faced the toughest challenge, overcoming Szabolcs TAMAS 3-2, with the deciding game ending 6-2. Humberto JUNIOR and Shoma NISHIHARA completed the win.
After the opening round, SPG Felbermayr Wels, SKST Havirov, Energa Manekin Torun and SKST Chodov lead their respective groups.
The competition continues on Saturday, with the teams seeking to strengthen their positions ahead of Sunday’s conclusion of Stage 1.
